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Alli reveals weaknesses he aims to improve on

Dele Alli: Does not feel he needs to work on his temper

Dele Alli has listed the parts of his game he wants to improve, but the Tottenham midfielder does not believe he needs to work on his temper.

Alli has enjoyed a phenomenal debut campaign in the Premier League and is a certainty to be selected in Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the European Championship.

However, Alli’s temperament has been called into question on occasion.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino said the 19-year-old had “a lot to learn about elite football” after kicking out at Fiorentina’s Nenad Tomovic in February, while a month earlier Alan Pardew accused Alli of stamping on Crystal Palace midfielder Yohan Cabaye.

Asked which aspects of his game he needed to improve, though, Alli told Sky Sports: “A lot of people would say my temper. But I don’t think that’s something I need to work on.

“It’s not something I worry about, I can control my temper. It’s something I’ve always had since I was younger growing up. I’ve done a lot to work on it to keep it under control when I need to, and the boys here help me as well.

“Defensively I could be a lot better, my decision-making at times can be a bit poor and my left foot technically I need to improve as well.”

Alli is one of several players hoping to play a key role for England in France this summer, with Harry Kane and Eric Dier also in strong positions to start the opening game.

They are players Alli is delighted to be playing alongside at both club and international level.

“We [Alli and Dier] have got one of those friendships where I think he’ll be a friend for life,” Alli said. “I haven’t known him for that long, but he’s sort of taken up that role as my big brother here.

“It’s strange to say but he does look after me as much as he can, even though I do bully him a little bit.

“He tries to keep my feet on the ground, but he’ll always back me in anything on and off the pitch. I always go to him for advice and he’s very mature for his age, you can always turn to him and put a lot of trust in him.

“Harry is a world-class striker. If you put it through to him nine times out of 10 he’ll find the back of the net, or at least make the keeper work.

“He’s got great movement, when he’s on the training pitch you see what he’s working on and you know what kind of runs he likes to make, and his finishing is the best I’ve ever seen.”